From Waste to Bio-based Nanoparticles for the management of Phytophthora diseases of Citrus

In the Mediterranean areas, Citrus is an important agricultural crop, with about a production of 10 million tons/year. Citrus production is seriously threatened by Phytophthora diseases. Chemicals are widly used to control Phytophthora diseases.

However, due to their negative impacts on environment, humans and the development of resistant races, there is an urgent need for biological alternatives.

WaBioNaPhy aims to formulate new biofungicides (bio-AlgNPs), which combine agriculture waste -nanotechnology, essential oils (EOs) and fungal metabolites to protect Citrus from Phytophthoras. In the current project, the biomass of agricultural wastes will be used as resources for the extraction of EOs.

Different extraction methods will be optimized for EOs yield and chemical traits.

Alginate nanoparticles (AlgNPs) charged with EOs and fungal metabolites will be produced and tested for Phytophthoras control in in vitro and in vivo assays. The Environmental and health impacts of the Bio-AlgNPs will be analysed. SLU ( secondment period) will participate in the implement of the proposal.

WaBioNaPhy will have a great scientific, economic and social impact. The proposal fits with the European policy for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

It will impact the well-being and health of citizens by providing healthy food and soil, which are benefits improved by the European Green Deal.

The proposal perfectly fits in UN Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), Goal 15 (Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss).